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Original poster

Gastric Band

36 replies

Whippets · 29/08/2019 14:00

Hello, has anyone on here had a Gastric Band Operation? I’m at an all time low 😢I was at my Doctors this morning who has referred me on to see a Barriatric Surgeon I’ve been told the whole process could take 18-24 months. After talking to my husband we are considering going private which will cost £7,500 in total. My life is so affected by my weight I have back and knee problems which affect me severely I’m in a lot of pain. I just want my life back and to start living it and enjoying it again. My BMI is 35.9 I’m 5ft 5 inches and 15St 6Ibs.

OP posts:
IAskTooManyQuestions · 29/08/2019 14:06

You will be told to lose two stone to show committment, you have to under go councelling and just prior to the surgery, you will have to go on a clear soup diet, absolutely no carbs to shrink the liver back to allow access, for 10 to 14 days.

All that shifts around 3 stone in total without intervention.

You might not be suitable, they might do a sleeve or a bypass instead.

Original poster
Whippets · 29/08/2019 14:21

Have you had the operation yourself ?

OP posts:
IAskTooManyQuestions · 29/08/2019 14:24

DH had it in 2012

Interested in this thread?

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General health Weight management
Pinkdoor · 29/08/2019 14:35

Hi op. You won't have to lose the two stone if you go private, but you will have to do a pre op diet.

I would not have the band - have read too many stories of it slipping/not working/causes issues.

I had a gastric sleeve 12 weeks ago and am a member of a facebook group where people with the band are constantly complaining about it.

I have lost four stone so far. I was a lot heavier than you though. I'm not sure I would have done it with just a few stone to lose.

I would recommend a consultation with Healthier Weight. Give them a call. No obligation, no cost unless you go ahead.

Pinkdoor · 29/08/2019 14:37

Oh and I'm so so pleased with my sleeve. The op went well, recovery was good. Everything has been perfect. But it's a huuuuge decision to make at 'just' 15 stone. Most people who do it will be an awful lot bigger than that

Soola · 29/08/2019 14:41

Would you consider using £7,500 for having healthy meals delivered and a personal trainer instead?

I read somewhere that when Jennifer Anniston wants to lose/maintain weight she keeps no food in the house and just has her meals delivered for the duration so that she is not tempted by anything at home.

Helenluvsrob · 29/08/2019 14:42

I don’t think at that bmi you qualify for surgery on the nhs.

CRbear · 29/08/2019 14:42

I have done it, and had it replaced once. It nearly killed me. I wouldn’t recommend it for a whole host of reasons. I was also “Low” BMI when I had it done privately.

Pinkdoor · 29/08/2019 14:45

OP - having had surgical help I totally get how hard it is to maintain weight loss and I really hope people don't come here to tell you to diet and exercise. As if you don't bloody know!!!!!

Soola · 29/08/2019 14:46

www.janeplan.com

Rubicon80 · 29/08/2019 14:49

@CRbear I was also “Low” BMI when I had it done privately.

???!?!?

I know it was private not NHS, but who the hell puts a gastric band on someone who's underweight already?!

Pinkdoor · 29/08/2019 14:53

This is an interesting read on why maintaining weight after loss is so hard. This in part convinced me to have the sleeve done. This and a lot of other research on metabolism, set points etc

Knowing what I know now I would have considered getting the sleeve done at a 'lower' BMI after the last time I did a stupid liquid diet - and shifted about eight stone before putting it all back on again.

www.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/health/biggest-loser-weight-loss.html

Pinkdoor · 29/08/2019 14:54

I would say 35 is the lower end for those who have surgery. Many are 45+

HeyMonkey · 29/08/2019 14:56

15st isn't even that high.

Isn't it a hugely drastic life changing (and expensive) thing to do for such a small amount?

Have you tied a meal delivery service?

NoBaggyPants · 29/08/2019 15:09

What have you tried so far OP, and most importantly, why have they failed?

I don't doubt that you're desperate, and that you'll have tried all sorts before. I was 17 stone at my biggest but eventually I lost the weight naturally, and have maintained below 10 stone for some time now. If I can offer suggestions I'm happy to, but no point if it's stuff you've already done.

Cauliflowerpower · 29/08/2019 15:12

I wouldn't have a gastric band no but I would consider the bypass or sleeve. I know that a lot of people have issues eventually with having a foreign body in them and they quite often slip and cause problems. It it not the preferred surgery for weight loss any more.

YouWhoNeverArrived · 29/08/2019 15:17

Really interesting thread. My husband is a doctor and recently suggested I consider a gastric band because my BMI has just hit 35. I'm currently pregnant! (It can't be done during pregnancy; he was suggesting I get it done a few months after delivery.) My normal pre-pregnancy BMI is about 32. Honestly I spent the whole day crying after he said it. He is very black and white about it; he sees patients get a lot of benefit from weight loss surgery, and many private surgeons will do it if your BMI is 35 or above, so in his mind if your BMI hits 35 it's a no-brainer. I don't agree and am going to try diet and exercise - after I've bloody well delivered!!! Really interesting to hear that there are lots of complaints about the band from people who have had it done.

newtb · 29/08/2019 15:22

have you thought of trying something like slim and save?

Yaflamingalah · 29/08/2019 15:22

YouWhoNeverArrived I can't believe your husband - a doctor - said that! He should be fucking struck off and divorced!

Pinkdoor · 29/08/2019 15:27

Why should he be struck off/divorced? Weight loss surgery works. Diets don't

FiercyMacFierceFace · 29/08/2019 15:30

@Whippets I had a gastric sleeve almost two years ago, done privately. My BMI has just tipped 40 when I had it done. The clinic I went to don’t go bands anymore due to the number of issues with slippage etc (which then require removal and conversion to a sleeve or by pass).

I would say it’s the best decision I ever made - I ah e got my life back and exercise regularly. It’s not a smooth journey though, and it hasn’t fixed me (I.e. all the food related issues in my head!) .

Want to know anything happy for you to PM me.

YouWhoNeverArrived · 29/08/2019 15:31

He is correct that weight loss surgery is more effective than diet alone in most cases. I just think it's not appropriate to say that to a pregnant woman, whose BMI is only over 35 because she's pregnant. I don't think he would have said it to a patient - I suspect he was trying to shock me into acknowledging that I'm overweight.

I've made it clear I plan to try dieting first (after I've had my baby), and he has apologised and agreed not to mention surgery again, so I think divorce would be an overreaction!

Oblomov19 · 29/08/2019 15:38

15 1/2 stone isn't that much. By the time you lose the 2 stone required you'd be down to 13 1/2 anyway.

2 of my family have just had the sleeve operation.

Yaflamingalah · 29/08/2019 16:16

YouWhoNeverArrived
Fair enough Smile I apologise - I was a bit overly outraged on your behalf, having been pregnant and putting quite a lot of weight on. Best of luck with your pregnancy

lubeybooby · 29/08/2019 16:36

don't do a band. Numerous problems with slippage and they really aren't recommended anymore.

Get referred to a dietician - it's more than just being given a diet and send away. it's monthly support and a check in, with psychologist thrown in if need be if you have 'food demons' and if eligible after 6 months weightloss with dietician you could be considered for other options, or take another 6 months with dietician care.